Day #26: Bay Harbor, MI

Charlevoix to Bay Harbor, Michigan

Timing is everything, and chance too was smiling on us during today's short, 15 mile jaunt.  Before leaving Charlevoix we needed to take on fuel and to pump out the holding tank; but the length of the fuel dock's line reminded me of the 70's oil embargo.  So, we had breakfast and did chores.  Then, seeing an opening, we slipped our dock lines and got right in.  Timing.  The bridge over Charlevoix's harbor entrance only goes up on the half hour.  We left the fuel dock and cruised right through.  Timing.   The two hour run east to Bay Harbor was in following seas and bright sunshine.  Not twenty minutes after arriving in Bay Harbor the skies went dark and a powerful squall blew through.  Timing.  Somedays you're just lucky.  This was ours.  The trip total is now 1272 miles.

The cruise is going on hold here as it's time for our annual pilgrimage to the Lord Nelson Rendezvous.  Nellie will head out again around 1 August.  DBH

Day #25: Charlevoix

Charlevoix Entrance and Round Lake

At this time of year getting a slip at Charlevoix's Municipal Marina is like winning the Lotto.  While still seven hours out I called--we lost.  They had a waiting list.   Nellie went on it.  A few hours later the Marina phoned to confirm that they were fully booked.  Oh well.  Five ours later we arrived in Charlevoix ready to drop the hook.  It's said that 99% of winning is just showing up.  We'd shown up.  A final, Hail Mary call to the Marina got unexpected results, "We just got a cancellation, C-41 is yours."

Charlevoix Wall Art

Frankfurt to Charlevoix

With light SW winds and calm seas it was 74 easy miles from Frankfurt to Charlevoix.  The trip total is now 1257.  DBH

Day #24: Frankfurt, MI

The 106' Tall Lighthouse at Big Sable Point

Happy 4th of July!  Clear skies, calm seas, nothing happened.  I won't keep you.

Pentwater to Frankfurt

At the Frankfurt Municipal Marina, 63 miles today and 1183 miles for the trip.  DBH

Day #23: Pentwater, MI

What's Wrong with this Picture?

Nellie's instrument cluster couldn't be simpler.  While underway life is good as long as the gauges' needles all point between 11 and 12 o'clock.  If any vary, I obsess.  That's why the water temperature gauge is currently driving me nuts.  Its sending unit is faulty and so its reading is high--one o'clock high.  But, even knowing it's faulty, every time I scan the instruments I'm startled.  You'd think I'd learn to ignore it.  Nope.  However, simply covering the gauge cures my problem.  Out of sight, out of mind?

The Very Crowded Beach at Mears State Park in Pentwater

Argyle Sits Atop a Lovely Perch Over looking Lake Michigan.

If asked to choose between a fairy godmother and my own personal geneologist, I'd be torn.  Here's why.  Two days ago I'd never heard of Pentwater, Michigan.  Today, after docking in Pentwater, I received an email from geneologist and cousin Ted Lollis stating that I have family here.  He included an address, a map and encouraged us to go for a visit.  So, we did.  While knocking on the door of this stranger's home I couldn't help but wonder how we'd be received.  With open arms it turns out. 

Cousin Katie at Argyle

Funny how you can arrive in a town, or at a door, a stranger and yet leave knowing there's family there.  That's what a geneologist can do for you.

Muskegon to Pentwater

It was pointed out to me that I massacred the spelling of Muskegon in yesterday's blog post.  I've corrected the post and humbly apologize to the residents of Muskegon and Michigun... ;-)

It was a wonderful 46 miles on the Lake today.  Our total is now 1120 miles.  Nellie is safely ensconced at the dock in Snug Harbor, Pentwater, Michigan.  DBH

Day #21: Muskegon, IL

Welcome to Muskegon

Making a slip reservation used to be done via the VHF once you'd gotten within hailing distance of the marina.  Then cell phones came on the scene and reservations could be made at a greater distance.  Today I discovered that the method is evolving yet again with Dockwa. 

A recording on Harbour Town Marina's answering machine told me that if I wanted a reservation I had to go through Dockwa.  Dock what?  It turns out that Dockwa is a smartphone app being used by more and more marinas to automate their reservations and payments. Who knew?  I dutifully made the reservation through Dockwa and then not so patiently waited for a response.  None came.  Shortly we arrived at the marina.  With no slip assignment we moored at the fuel dock.  The attendant, a nice young man, asked if he could help.  "We're waiting for our slip assignment," I said.  "Did you make a reservation through Dockwa," he asked.  Once he understood that we had, but had not heard back, he called the dock master.  Minutes later the dock master, Jim, arrived and introduced himself.  With me watching, Jim found an empty slip, logged onto Dockwa, and made the assignment.  Almost instantly my phone notified me of a new email.  It was from Dockwa; slip D-1 was ours and we're $55.50 poorer. 

Looking back over the transaction I have to chuckle.  I enjoyed meeting Jim and talking about Harbour Towns' efforts to streamline operations.  But our conversation,  in a perfect Dockwa world,  wouldn't have taken place.  Perhaps to keep the human touch in our increasingly automated interactions we need to, occasionally at least, throw a little sand into the gears.

SS Barbie-Q--Old Boats Never Die, They Become Billboards

The Silversides

Grand Haven, MI to Muskegon, MI

It was a long 15 miles from Grand Haven to Muskegon.  The lumpy seas hit us on the beam with waves large enough to make things uncomfortable.  The trip's total is now 1074.  On the positive side, we got into Muskegon before 1000 hours.  This gave us plenty of time to explore the area.   DBH

Day #20: Grand Haven, MI

Kollen Park's Immigrants Statue in Front of an Anchored Immigrant Tug, Holland, MI

Holland's Sense of Humor

The Colors of Holland

Nothing Runs Like a Deere

A Pretty Street in Holland

The Big Picture.  Tonight We're in Grand Haven

Holland to Grand Haven

Between exploring the waters around Holland and then traveling north to Grand Haven, we added 31 miles to our total of 1059 miles.  DBH